This year we took the sod off a spot in the back yard (12'x20') and put in a small garden.We didn't amend the soil, but most stuff grew ok. The spagetti squash really took off, and there are 18 nice squash to pick.Trouble is, I see the vine borers showed up. Too late to save the vines.I plan on disposing of the entire plants later today, but want to know what I should do to kill any eggs/larva/pupa that may be in the dirt.Also, has anyone had success with spraying plants with Sevin?

I have had good results with dusting the plants with 10% Sevin when the pests show up. Have never used liquid Seven but should be just as effective. As to treating the soil, I have not ever done that so I can't be of help.

Burn the residue as soon as you harvest the squash. You might try covering the patch with black plastic sheeting. That may cook some of the remaining larvae & pupae. It won't hurt with the weeds, either.

I don't use dust anymore due to it being carried back to bee hives. i do use SEVEN spray in evening after blooms close up. Next spring, use a preventive s0pray schedule in the spring. A very few squash bugs come out of the ground in the spring and bore into the young vines and lay their eggs. Once those hatch you are in serious trouble, so it is best to kill the adults that lay eggs in spring before they have the chance.

Thanks for the tips guys.I haven't seen any squash bugs in the garden, only the vine borer moth and the telltale signs of borer plant invasion on the spagetti squash vines and leaves.I'll have to really get on it and stay on it next year.

I use all kinds of the Sevin wannabee stuff, Max is a good one too, malathion is another, alternate the kinds so the bugs dont adapt to the use of only one kind of spray! (keeps them guessing as to whats being dumped on them)! thanks; sonny